Kingston boxer Danny Parsons says three Queensbury Boxing League southern area lightweight titles have prepared him for the big time.

The 20-year-old successfully defended his crown for a second time last month, weeks before Carshalton’s Tony Owen lifted the British southern area light-welterweight crown at the O2 Arena.

The League, the biggest of its type in the UK, acts as a stepping stone for young fighters to move up in the boxing world by learning the ropes of big time prize fighting as a semi-professional.

And former Teddington School student Parsons, who expects to be back in the ring in November, is out to make the most of the experience with Owen’s success his chief inspiration.

“A lot of people forget I’m still only 20 years old and I’ve only really been fighting since I was 18,” said the young father.

“I’ve learned so much in the last three years and I’m still learning.

“Boxing as a semi-pro in the Queensbury League has taught me so much, in terms of my boxing and obviously the business side too.

“We fight for small purses based on your ticket sales, which is not a lot different to how the likes of Tony Owen and Lenny Daws make their money.

“My ambition is to go fully pro, but I now know it is not just about talent. You have to be able to get people through the door to your fights to be able to do that.

“I think if I had turned pro straight away I would have just got beaten up in the ring, but I feel like I’ve really learned my trade and I hope to make that step in a couple of years – after I’ve turned 21.

“Until then, I need to keep winning titles and learn the business side of things more.”